TROTTING “Owners In N.Z. Need Greater Incentives”

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31716, 27 June 1968, Page 5

TROTTING “Owners In N.Z. Need Greater Incentives”

The only way to stop the drift of the best horses away from New Zealand is to offer owners greater incentives. This is the opinion of Mr C. L. Rhodes, of Christchurch, who recently returned from his sixth visit to the United States.

Mr Rhodes, who breeds standard-breds on a fairly large scale at his Templeton property, Peterson Lodge, has the figures to prove it has paid him to race many of his horses outside New Zealand.

"Although most owners like to race for the sport there comes a time when costs have to be taken into account,” said Mr Rhodes. “To race a big team in this country today is just not economic. “There are many clubs, with fantastic reserves, in a position to relieve some of the burden for owners but do nothing about it,” said Mr Rhodes. “At present owners collectively are contributing about one-sixth of the stakes for which they are racing by way of nominations and acceptances.” At Same Level “Statistics prove that the T.A.B. in this country has done little for owners since its inception," said Mr Rhodes. “Although costs have doubled in the last 20 years, stakes are still at the same level and in some cases smaller. “But the main factor which is hampering the progress of the sport in this country is the Government’s crippling taxation,” he said. “While owners are out of pocket to the tune of

$2,000,000 a year the Government takes nearly twice that amount out of racing and puts nothing back.” What originally made Mr Rhodes decide to diversify his activities as a owner was a Government decision made 15 years ago. At that time he had spent f4OO of his own money to develop a colour film on trotting which he considered might promote American interest in the New Zealand standard-bred. Mr Rhodes wanted to exhibit the film in the areas of the United States where he thought it would do most good; He was prepared to meet all expenses of the trip but his application to the Reserve Bank for an allocation of dollars was rejected. Today the sale of New Zealand horses to the United States is a million-dollar industry.

This season the breeding arrangements at Peterson Lodge have been curbed. "At the start of last season I had 18 yearlings ready to go into work," said Mr Rhodes. "I realised that all would not make the grade, but six shaped like fairly good horses and three were entered for Welcome Stakes, but only one got a start.”

Because Mr Rhodes does not breed horses for the yearling sales he is not greatly concerned as a breeder. But as an owner he is, concerned about trotting’s future in this country. Big lncr«at«

"It is only a matter of time before we are left far behind by Australia where the effects of the T.A.B. are already evident," he said. "At Harold Park alone stakes for next season have been increased by >75,000."

Mr Rhodes already has six horses racing and paying their

way in Australia. The two-year-old Lock Up left here only last week. Among them five have already won 35 races and only Really Good, which has won 17 races, Rain Chief, the winner of six, and Silver Melody, which has a record of five wins, have been there for more than a year. Garrison has won five races since he left here list August. Kiwi Peterson has had two wins and a second from three starts since he left here in April and Comeaway, a threequarter sister to the New Zealand Cup winner. Lookaway, was third at her first start in Australia at Harold Park last Friday night. She left New Zealand last month. Three in U.S. Besides Forward March, which is in foal to Green Tree Adios, Mr Rhodes has three horses racing in the United States. They are Safe Return, Option and Eyreton, which collectively have won 26 races. “In the State of New York there are incentives for both owners and breeders," said Mr Rhodes. "Every year the State Government provides $2 million for special races for horses bred in the State. This encourages breeders to send their mares to stallions domiciled in the State.

"Even if your horse is nnt a top-liner, but still has ability it has a very good chance of paying its way in the United States," said Mr Rhodes. "Prizemoney is divided five ways and races are restricted to only eight starters."

As an example of what a good horse can do Mr Rhodes quoted Cardinal King which was competing in the International series at Yonkers while he was there. "In a matter of weeks he won four races and >87,500. In spite of what he won Cardinal King’s New Zealand owners were probably well satisfied with the >35,000 the Americans were reported to have paid for the horse. It would have taken him a long time to earn that amount 1 here."